Andy McErlean starred in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

War pensioner McErlean, 54, featured in the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event taking place outside of North America.

With ages from 7 to 70+ competing, the event is reflective of the incredible growth in pickleball over recent years, with a record number of almost 2,000 players from 42 countries participating in a sport which has aspirations of making the Olympic programme.

“The whole set-up here is tremendous, it’s awe-inspiring,” said Portsmouth's McErlean.

“I’ve been going around watching the games and I felt exhausted before hitting a ball just watching as it’s a great standard.

“It’s a game for everyone, anyone can play and that’s a nice thing.

“It’s a good experience because you go to your club and you’re playing able-bodied [players] and you get to come here and face people in wheelchairs, which is a totally different game.”

This year’s English OPEN comprised seven days of high-level competition, with the world’s top professionals from America, Europe and Asia taking to the court in singles, doubles, mixed, wheelchair and junior events.

A hybrid of tennis, badminton & table tennis, the sport’s popularity has been attributed to its accessibility. Easy to pick up and fun to play, the sport’s accessibility transcends demographics, providing it with universal appeal.

“I got into pickleball two years ago when a friend of ours asked us to come along to a David Lloyd session and it was really quite enjoyable,” added McErlean.

“I had no idea how much the sport was growing, I just went along for the fun, then entered a tournament in Bolton last year (the Nationals) then a few local ones and now here for my first English Open.

“I’ve not been training that much but I will do now as I intend to play a lot more after this.”

Pickleball England has announced a record number of players competing at this year’s English OPEN from the 8th-14th August at the Telford International Centre in the largest pickleball event taking place outside of the USA EVER – visit pickleballengland.org